Ahead of the Jidai Matsuri, one of Kyoto's three major festivals, new and repaired costumes and props were unveiled at Heian Shrine in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City on October 8, 2024. The hiogi fan held by Sei Shonagon in the Heian period women's procession and Niwa Nagahide's hakama in the Oda no Kami procession to Kyoto have been given a vivid makeover.
Sei Shonagon's hiogi fan has been remade for the first time in about 30 years. As it is held closed during the procession, the pattern painted on the surface of the fan cannot be seen, but it is intricately painted with cherry blossoms, the moon, and other motifs. A new kosode, the undergarment of court attire, was also made.
Also unveiled was the hakama worn by Niwa Nagahide, a senior vassal of Oda Nobunaga, which was renewed for the first time in 38 years. The blue hakama, decorated with a white clasp-shaped wooden crest pattern, is made of shiny donsu fabric.
The repaired item was the "hirao," a belt worn around the waist by civil servants in black robes during the Fujiwara nobles' procession to the Imperial Court. The part that hangs down in front is made of purple and white fabric with embroidery of a phoenix.
A total of 308 items, including these, were replaced or repaired at a cost of approximately 8.8 million yen.
Yamada Keiji, president of Heian Kosha, which organizes the Jidai Matsuri, said, "This is the third time we've returned to the old format since it was canceled due to COVID-19, and I think we can hold a fulfilling festival this time."
The Jidai Matsuri began in 1895, the year after the 1,100th anniversary of the capital's relocation to Heian. The procession, which is expected to involve around 2,000 people, will depart Kyoto Gyoen (Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto City) at noon on October 22. If it rains, the event will be postponed to the following day.
